This year, Australian Disc Golf launched Discover Disc Golf, a nationally branded come-and-try program that makes it easy for clubs to welcome newcomers to the sport. Four clubs put their hands up for the first year, and we couldn’t be prouder of what they achieved. Across four events in three states, more than 150 people picked up a disc, many of them for the very first time.
Reaching beyond the disc golf community
One goal of Discover Disc Golf was to reach people who aren’t already in our circles, and the promotion side of the program showed a lot of promise. Each event had its own EventBrite page, which made events easy to find and simple to register for. ADG also reached out to local councils and community event pages on social media to get the events listed where locals already look for things to do.
On top of that, we ran small targeted digital ad campaigns for the Newcastle, North Queensland and South Australian events. For a total spend of around $150, those ads were seen more than 44,000 times by over 25,000 people in the local areas. They also drove more than 500 clicks through to the event pages. South Australian Disc Golf told us the combined advertising from ADG and the National Park really helped their turnout.
Four clubs, four great days
Camden Disc Golf kicked things off with the inaugural Discover Disc Golf event on 24 May. They set up at a larger community fair at Belgenny Farm in Camden South. The club ran a drop-in setup where passers-by could stop, have a throw and learn what disc golf is all about. Around 100 people came through, and four volunteers were on hand to help. Newcomers could also win starter sets. It was a different format from the events that followed, but a great way to put disc golf in front of people who might never have come across it otherwise.
Newcastle Disc Golf hosted their event at Stockade Hill in East Maitland on 6 September. Twenty people came along, 14 of them brand new to the sport, supported by six volunteers. The club set up a shorter course layout just for beginners and had a volunteer play alongside each group. Both are great tips for any club planning a come-and-try day.
North Queensland Disc Golf Club brought Discover Disc Golf to Marabou Park in Annandale on 13 September. Eighteen people attended, and 15 were throwing for the first time. With a couple of volunteers at the main table and others roaming the course to help out, the club expects four or five new faces to keep coming back.
South Australian Disc Golf closed out the season at Belair National Park on 19 September. Thirty people attended, and 28 were new to disc golf. One volunteer signed people in and ran a 15-minute intro to the basics. Then the group split up to play four baskets, with a volunteer guiding each group. The club also made it a double-header by running their Aussie Disc Golf Day event straight afterwards. Every newcomer received an ADGD mini so they felt part of the nationwide celebration. Three starter packs were sold on the day, and around nine attendees are expected to return.
What worked
A few themes came through in every club’s feedback. Having plenty of volunteers made a huge difference, keeping the atmosphere relaxed and giving every newcomer someone to learn from. Short, beginner-friendly layouts got people throwing and enjoying themselves quickly. Structured sessions with a quick intro and small guided groups helped newcomers feel confident.
Across the four events, 18 volunteers gave up their time. Clubs estimate around 20 new players will keep coming back. That’s a real boost to local disc golf communities, and it started with a single welcoming morning or afternoon.
Where to from here?
Plenty of clubs around the country already run their own come-and-try days, and supporting that work is something ADG cares about deeply. This first year of Discover Disc Golf has given us a lot to build on. We saw clubs already running great beginner events, and with a little coordinated promotion, those events reach well beyond our existing community.
We’re now looking at how Discover Disc Golf could grow in the future, including how it might support more clubs across more of the year. Watch this space. In the meantime, if your club runs come-and-try events or would like to, we’d love to hear from you at admin@australiandiscgolf.com.
A huge thank you
Thank you to Camden Disc Golf, Newcastle Disc Golf, North Queensland Disc Golf Club and South Australian Disc Golf. Thanks also to every volunteer who made this first year happen. You’ve shown what’s possible, and you’ve laid the groundwork for something much bigger.